Otis the Bear Makes a Late but Welcome Return

Fans of Otis the brown bear can now relax. The beloved elderly bear has finally emerged from hibernation at Katmai National Park in Alaska. Many people worried about Otis because he's in his late twenties - quite old for a wild bear. When months passed without a sighting, some feared the worst.

On July 26, cameras spotted Otis at Brooks Falls, much later than his normal return time. This special spot is known as "Otis's office" because he spends so much time there fishing in the river.

Preparing for Fat Bear Week

Now that Otis has returned, he faces an important task - eating enough food to prepare for the next winter. Bears like Otis need to consume a massive amount of food in just six months to survive their next hibernation.

During hibernation, bears don't eat or drink anything. They can lose up to one-third of their body weight while sleeping in their dens. This makes their summer and fall eating time very important for survival.

All eyes are now on Otis's fishing skills as he works to build up his fat stores. He'll need to catch and eat lots of fish to prepare for the coming winter.

A Four-Time Champion Returns

Otis isn't just any bear - he's a four-time champion of Fat Bear Week, an annual event that celebrates the bears' success at gaining weight. During this fun contest, park rangers create a tournament-style bracket where bears compete against each other.

People can watch the bears on live cameras and vote for which ones they think have gained the most weight. The contest moves through rounds until one bear is named the champion.

Last year, a bear nicknamed "Bear Force 1" took the title. This year, Otis will try to reclaim his crown and earn his fifth Fat Bear Week championship.

If you want to spot Otis on the live cameras, look for his most noticeable feature - a floppy right ear. This helps tell him apart from the other brown bears at Katmai National Park.